"I started this journey 25 years ago with the goal of establishing a new language in art... by transforming the objects that we put aside or see as trash into little capsules of art," he says. "It is a blend of experience and hand discipline. I can work on a single object for up to six months."
But it was not until 1995 that he had the idea of doing it himself on unconventional objects.
He had been looking at an empty cup of coffee and noticed how the remains at the bottom formed what he thought were beautiful patterns in the small space.
As it was for Osman in the 16th century, it remains painstaking work and Kale often paints for around 16 to 18 hours a day and goes without sleep.
"First of all, you must be enormously patient. Second, you must love the work, and third, you should have no economic expectations," Kale says.
That said, his work has attracted worldwide interest and his pieces have sold for thousands of dollars.
There are advantages to his chosen medium, not least that he needs very little room, and can work anywhere.
He has created artworks on international flights and even in a hot-air balloon.
"While walking in the street, I come up with an idea and I sit down and work. All I need is a drop of water in a bottle cap and I take out my palette and paints."
Kale, who also designs jewelry, said he especially liked the way people recalled his work during mundane moments of their day.
"They remember me when they eat popcorn at the movies or drink a cup of coffee or swim in the sea," he says.
